Ravenna Capital of the Mosaic

This summer, four special evenings with the night opening of the monuments will bring you to the discovery of Classe, now a fraction of Ravenna, but formerly a Roman port city and military outpost of the fleet of Constantinople on the Mediterranean. Discover the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe, defined as one of the greatest examples of an early Christian basilica and recognized by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. Despite the spoliation suffered over the centuries, the church still preserves the beauty of the original structure and it is admired for the splendid polychrome mosaics of its apsidal basin and the ancient marble sarcophagi of the archbishops located along the side aisles. Furthermore, our itineraries will lead you to discover the Museum Classis Ravenna, the last born among the city's monuments and which has become the cultural point of reference for anyone who wants to fully understand the history of Ravenna. A compelling story that features one of the most important cities in the Mediterranean, three times capital. The story develops inside the museum using multimedia, plastic and multi-projection equipment used as a support to the visit and to illustrate the various themes.  

We are pleased to announce the return of the Mosaic by Night tours for summer 2023, which for more than two decades have been opening some of the city center's most beautiful monuments in the evening hours to all tourists and art lovers.   Guided tours of some of Ravenna's most fascinating art treasures are scheduled on Friday evenings in July and August: the Basilica of San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the National Museum of Ravenna and the House of the Stone Carpets are ready to welcome you with a series of itineraries to discover these millennia-old masterpieces. ITINERARY: - Mausoleum of Galla Placidia - Basilica of San Vitale - National Museum of Ravenna - House of the Stone Carpets

Like every summer the paths of Mosaic Night 2023 return to open, in the evening, the doors of some of the most beautiful monuments of the city center. Itinerary of the Wednesday: - Neonian Baptistery - Ariani Baptistery - Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo

This summer, Mosaic by Night 2023, open the doors of the Classense Library with a tour in English. This evening tour will take you to discover the ancient Camaldolese Monastery of Ravenna, now home to one of the twenty largest and most important libraries in Italy. The itinerary inside this beautiful complex will let you discover: - Sala del Mosaico - Sala Dantesca - Sala muratori - Chiostri

The Mosaic by Night festival will end on Friday 1 September with a special last evening that will open the doors to two monuments of our UNESCO heritage: the Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia!

The Collection of Contemporary Mosaics forms a vital part of the artistic heritage of the city. It traces the evolution of the mosaics technique in Ravenna and fosters the engagement of local and international artists. The pivotal moment for the renewal of mosaic art was the Exhibition of Modern Mosaics in 1959, the artworks from which now constitute the core and basis of the present collection.

Guided tour to discover the monuments that make Classe an essential destination. Discover the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe, defined as one of the greatest examples of an early Christian basilica and recognized by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. Despite the spoliation suffered over the centuries, the church still preserves the beauty of the original structure and it is admired for the splendid polychrome mosaics of its apsidal basin and the ancient marble sarcophagi of the archbishops located along the side aisles. Furthermore, our itineraries will lead you to discover the Museum Classis Ravenna, the last born among the city's monuments and which has become the cultural point of reference for anyone who wants to fully understand the history of Ravenna. A compelling story that features one of the most important cities in the Mediterranean, three times capital. The story develops inside the museum using multimedia, plastic and multi-projection equipment used as a support to the visit and to illustrate the various themes.  

Guided tour in English language to a Mosaic workshop, where you will have a glance at the works of the master mosaicist. For more than 1500 years, Ravenna has been passing down the extraordinary artistic tradition linked to the mosaic that made it, together with its 8 UNESCO monuments, famous all over the world. Every Saturday a guided tour starts at 11.30 am and will make you discover this amazing art, visiting one of the workshops of the city centre, where the traditional techniques meet contemporary projects and ideas.

Stay two days with your family to discover Ravenna. We offer you a guided tour of 2 hours in the street of Ravenna for a first look of the history of the city and a mosaic workshop for families in which everyone will engage in the ancient art of mosaic. You will keep the object created during this workshop, to decorate your home as a souvenir of your stay in Ravenna.